By
Jamilu Abubakar
The Gombe State Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund, has organised a one-day launch of the Nigeria Learning Passport in Gombe State, a digital solution designed to close the learning poverty gap, improve learning outcomes, expand access to education, and reduce the number of out-of-school children.
The launch places Gombe among states leveraging technology-driven solutions to transform education delivery, particularly for underserved learners, with the state becoming the 24th in Nigeria to adopt the platform.
Speaking at the event, the Chief of Field Office, Bauchi, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, represented by the UNICEF NLP Coordinator, Dr. Harold Kpojime, described the platform as a strategic response to learning disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that the initiative is a collaboration between UNICEF, Microsoft and the Federal Ministry of Education, supported by the Global Partnership for Education.
Dr. Rafique commended the Gombe State Government’s commitment to education through reforms such as the declaration of a state of emergency in education and the 10-year education development plan, saying the Nigeria Learning Passport would further strengthen efforts to tackle learning poverty and improve access to quality education.
She disclosed that 100 tablets have been deployed and 30 technical team members trained to support implementation, with plans to extend knowledge to at least 1,000 beneficiaries, adding that the initiative is designed to create a sustainable learning ecosystem rooted in local realities while meeting global standards.
Also speaking, the UNICEF Focal Officer at the Gombe State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Lami Garkwa, underscored the role of teacher development in the success of the platform, noting that over 70,000 teachers have been trained nationwide, while the platform also supports local languages, including Hausa, to make learning accessible to more children.
In her remarks, the Executive Chairperson of the Gombe State Teachers Service Commission, Mrs. Naomi Maiguwa, described the initiative as a major opportunity to advance education in the state, urging stakeholders, teachers, parents and students to fully embrace the platform for the benefit of children.
